French publishing giant Ubisoft is reportedly in discussions with Tencent about a potential buyout of the Assassin's Creed firm. 

Reuters reports that the two are in talks about a deal that would not reduce the Guillemot family's controlling stake in the company. The Guillemots have also been speaking to other investors about a management buyout. 

Tencent is reportedly weighing up whether to increase its stake in Ubisoft by taking part in the buyout.

The Chinese firm seemingly asked for more of a say in how the French publishing giant's board is running the company, though the Guillemot family hasn't agreed to this. 

One focus of the talks between Ubisoft and Tencent is preventing a hostile takeover from a third party – the two companies initially started working together after the Chinese giant helped end Vivendi's hostile takeover of Ubisoft.